Anger:
Getting angry is part of being human. We all do it and, just like stress, a little bit of it can be good for us.
Anger can defend you from danger, help get an important point across, or motivate you to make a change.
Anger isn’t good if it harms you or the people around you. If you’re shouting, throwing stuff, hurting others (or yourself) then that’s harmful behavior.
Anger can contribute to mental health problems, and make existing problems worse.
Dealing With ANGER
Look inside yourself…
Knot in your stomach? Heart beating fast?Clenching your jaw? Knowing the early warning signs of anger means you can do something about it.
Walk away…
Take yourself out of the situation you are in and walk away.
Distract yourself…
Calming music, exercise, drawing or doodling are all good ways to distract yourself from your thoughts. You could even take a cold shower!
Safe energy…
Don’t damage your things, hurt yourself or others. Get rid of some energy by thumping a pillow instead or tearing up a magazine.
Anywhere but here…
Where is your happy place? What do you like about it? Close your eyes and imagine you’re there.
Aaaaand relax…
Breathe slowly by inhaling through one nostril, then out the other. Repeat slowly until you feel calmer.
Ever seen the movie Die Hard? Try making fists with your toes!
Mindfulness can be a good way to control anger. Find out about this at
OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO…
Breathing exercises can really help a lot of situations.
Eating healthy means following a healthy eating pattern that includes a variety of nutritious foods and drinks. It also means getting the number of calories that’s right for you (not eating too much or too little).
Take time out from social media, it’s not always good for our mental health. Plan some screen-free time every week.
It’s tempting to share personal feelings on social media, but you can’t know how that will be used. Text or talk to someone you trust instead. If they don’t respond, try someone else!
If you can bounce back from the ups and downs of life then you’re more likely to seek out new experiences and opportunities.
Things that help you bounce back aren’t always to do with you.
Make a difference to others
Look out for a friend, join a club or volunteer your time. It builds your self-esteem and expands the network of people looking out for you.
Say no to negativity
Learn to filter out the negativity of others. Don’t listen to their negative comments. The image in the mirror is uniquely you… lots of people think that you are fabulous!
Find that trusted adult
There are people who love and care for you and want to help. It’s OK if it’s not easy or possible to talk to one of your parents. Who are the other adults in your family, community or school who could step in and support you instead?
There is always someone there to help… JUST ASK!
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